Apparatus



(No Model.)

W. DUNLAP & J. KETOHUM, Jr.

.HAT DRYING APPARATUS.

N0. 288,987, Patented Nov. 27, 1883.

Ill-mil INVENTORS WilliamE.Dmlap,

Joseph Esteban,

By their flltorney; Jr.

n, PETERS, Pamumc w. wmin vm n. c

UNITED STATES PATENT Fries.

WlLLlAMI H. DUNLAP AND JOSEPH KETOHUM, JR, OF BROOKLYN, N. Y.

HAT DRYlNQ APPARATUS.

SPEGIFIGATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 288,987, dated November27, 1883.

A I Application filed April 14, 1888. (No model.)

To oiZZ 1072,0122, it may concern.-

Be it known that we, YVILLIAM H. DUNLAP and Josnrrr KEroHUM, Jr.,citizens of the United States, and residents of Brooklyn ,inthe countyof Kings and State of New York, have jointly invented certain new anduseful lmprovenientsin Hat-Drying Apparatus, of which the following is aspecification.

Our invention relates to certain improvements in the construction andorganization of L apparatus employed for removing the solvent a more orless perfect vacuum maybe created in the cylinders. The current ofatmosphere and vaporized moisture, as it is withdrawn from thecylinders, is caused to pass through a suitable condensing device, bymeans of which the solvent is recovered and collected in a liquid formina suit-able reservoir.

In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate our invention, Figure 1is aview showing the general organization of apparatus, and Fig. 2represents certain details in the construction of the apparatus.

Referring to thedrawings, A A A represent a series of any desired numberof suitable cylindrical cans, preferably of stout material capable ofwithstanding high pressure, in which the hats are to be placed. The cansare provided with suitable flanged covers, a a a, which are preferablyconvex, for the purpose of better withstanding the pressure. The bottomsof the cans are likewise convex or globeshape, and provided withsuitable outlet-pipes, b b b. The pipes I) connect, through suitablestops, 0 6- c, with a main pipe or exhaust-tube, 0. Suitablecheclrvalvesmz m m, are inserted in the pipes I), for preventing the airfrom a can when first applied to the exhausting apparatus from rushinginto an exhausted can. These check-valves are preferably constructed asshown in Fig. 2. A plug, a, is provided with a longitudinal perforation,n, which terminates in the valve-seat of. This seat is formed at anangle of about forty-five degrees with the aXisof the pipe, in order toinsure the closing of the valve-lid a through the action of gravity andthe resilience of the lid. The said lid n is preferably constructed ofrubber or similar material, and is attached to the face or seat a in anysuitable manner.

The tube 0 connects with a coiled tube D, constituting a condenser ofwell-known construction. The tube D is surrounded by a water tank orcylinder, E, through which a constant stream of cold water is caused topass by means of the inlet and exit pipes 6 o The lower extremity of thecoil D communicates with an air-tight reservoir, F, in which iscollected the condensation of the vapor passing through the tube D. Fromthe upper portion of the tank F a. pipe, G, leads to a suit-' able airor vacuum pump, K, of any construc tion, adapted to exhaust the air fromthe tube G, and thus from the pipe G, and any or all of the tanks Acommunicating therewith.

Suitable supports, H,-are employed for supporting the hats in thevacuum-cans A. The supports H each consists of abuse-plate or ring, 2carrying aseries of uprights, h h". Thehats are designed to be placedupon the support in the manner shown in section in Fig. 1, one hat beingplacedwithin the standards 71-. A tire or ring, is placed over andincloses the crown and brim of the hat. A second hat is then placed withits brim resting upon the top of the tire j, and in like manner a tierof any number of hats may be placed in the support H, witlia spaceintervening between each hat. For the purpose of collecting any moisturewhich may gather at the bottoms of the cans A, the tubes bpreferablylead from the lowest points in the same. These tubes, and likewise theexhaust-pipe C, are preferably inclined sufficiently to furnish therequired descent for any fluid which may collect therein, causing it topass through the vertical condenser D, and thus to reach the reservoirF.

For the purpose of accelerating the removal of the solvent fromthe'hats,*the cylinders are heated by means "of suitable steanrpipes, LL L surrounding their respective bases. The pipes L communicate with anysuitable steamsupply, and the temperature of the cylinder may beregulated by means of the valves Z.

The temperature of the cylinder is preferably.

maintained at from 90 to 115 Fahrenheit; or the vacuum-cans may beplaced in a drying or other suitable room, where the requiredtemperature may be maintained.

Air-valves 0 may be applied to the cylinders A or to the covers a, forthe purpose of permitting the entrance of air when it is desired toremove the covers after the hats have been dried.

In employing the apparatus which we have described, the hats are firstsaturated with the solution of stiffening material, according to any ofthe usual processes, and then placed in tiers in the frames H. thenplaced within the cylinder A, and the covers a placed over the same. Thestop-cock or valve by means of which the particular vacuum-cylinderemployed is connected withthe exhaustpipe Gis then opened, and a highvacuum will be gradually obtained by means of the pump K. The rapiditywith which the vacuum is created may be varied as desired.

It is found in practice that the best results are obtained by allowingthe hats to remain from one to three hours after a high vacuum isobtained.

WVe claim as our invention 1. Thecombination, substantially ashereinbefore set forth, ofa vacuum-cylinder, means of supporting aseries of hats therein, and an air-pump connected .therewith.

2. The combination of one or more vacuumcylinders, a series of hatssupported therein, means for exhausting the air and moisture therefrom,and a condenser through which These frames are the exhaust'from saidcylinder is caused to pass.

3. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of one ormore vacuum-cylinders, means for supporting a series of hats therein, anexhaust-pipe, means for connecting any or all of said vacuum-chamberswith said exhaust-pipe, a condenser with which said exhaust-pipecommunicates, a reservoir for receiving the condensation from said.condenser, and the means for exhausting the air from said exhaust-pipethrough said condenser and reservoir.

4. The combination, substantially as here 5 5 inbefore set forth,ofavacuum-chamber, means for supporting a series of hats therein, a tubeleading from the lower extremity of said chamber, an exhaust-tube, acondenser with which said exhaust-tubeis connected, a reservoir forreceiving the condensation from said condens er, and means,substantially such as described, for heating said cylinders.

5. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of a seriesof vacuum-cham- 6 bers, means for supporting a series of hats therein, atube leading from the lower extremity of each of said chambers, acheck-valve included in each of said tubes, an exhaustpipe with whichall of said tubes communicate, and means, substantially such asdescribed, for withdrawing the air from said exhaustpipe.

In testimony whereof wehave hereunto subscribed our names this 12th dayof April, A. D. 1883.

WILLIAM H. DUNLAP. JOSEPH KETOHUM, JR.

Vitnesses:

CARRIE E; DAVIDSON, CHARLES A. TERRY.

